2017-2018 Teachers of the Year

2017-2018 Teachers of the Year

Commerce Primary School Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Mandy Lund

Mrs. Lund earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia. She completed her Masters of Education in Instructional Technology at the University of Georgia. In 2012, she completed her Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership from Piedmont College. In 2018, Mrs. Lund will complete her leadership endorsement from Kennesaw State University.

Mrs. Lund has taught first grade at Commerce Primary for fourteen years! She has had an ESOL inclusion class for six years. Mrs. Lund has served on many committees at CPS, including the Leadership Team, School Governance Team, AdvancED Team, Technology Team, and the list goes on. Mrs. Lund was also named Teacher of the Year for Commerce Primary in 2008-2009.

Mrs. Lund is married to Matt Lund and they have one son, Harrison.

Commerce Elementary School Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Ashley Sears

Mrs. Ashley Sears earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia. She completed her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. Mrs. Sears also earned a mathematics endorsement from the University of Georgia and an ESOL endorsement through Northeast GA RESA. Mrs. Sears is currently completing her gifted endorsement.

Mrs. Sears is in her twelfth year of teaching! She taught third grade for three years and kindergarten for seven years at Benton Elementary School. Mrs. Sears is in her second year of teaching fourth grade at Commerce Elementary. During her teaching tenure, she has had many opportunities to serve on curriculum teams, as a professional learning leader, leadership team, and the hospitality committee. From 2009-2016, teachers from all over Northeast GA RESA visited Mrs. Sears’ classroom as a RESA Model Classroom for mathematics. Mrs. Sears was named Teacher of the Year at Benton Elementary School in 2009.

Mrs. Sears is a married to CHS alumnus, Josh Sears.

Commerce Middle School Teacher of the Year - Ms. Cassie Dobson

Ms. Dobson earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia in 2016. She has been teaching special education at Commerce Middle School since the fall of 2016. During her tenure at CMS, she has served on the CCRPI Committee, the SST Committee, and the Community and Stakeholder Involvement Committee.

Though Ms. Dobson may be new to the education field, her administrators state that her “plethora of instructional methods and strategies extends far beyond her teaching experience.” Ms. Dobson has been described as kind, professional, enjoyable to be around, a true team-player, and a highly effective collaborator.

Ms. Dobson was invited by the Special Education Department at UGA to deliver a presentation on the topic of developing Individualized Education Plans and managing the duties and responsibilities of a special educator as a first year teacher.

Commerce High School Teacher of the Year & CCSS Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Wendy Sims

Mrs. Sims earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Georgia. In 2008, she completed a Master of Science in Post-Secondary Education from Troy University. In 2011, Mrs. Sims earned her Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning from Piedmont College. Mrs. Sims has taught special education at CHS since 2007.

During her tenure at CHS, Mrs. Sims has served as the Special Education Department Chair, on the CHS Leadership Team, as the AdvancED Representative, Homecoming Coordinator, Junior Class Sponsor, Prom Sponsor, Social Committee, and Honors Day Committee.

Mrs. Sims has been described by her administrators as “An extremely effective teacher who thrives in an environment that requires a diversity of specificity in the differentiation of instruction.”

Mrs. Sims is married to Matt Sims, and they have one son, Luke, who is in Pre-K at Commerce Primary School.